Account Development Specialist

Associated Distributors•Sandston, VA

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Account Development Specialist is the sales lead for their assigned portfolio within a targeted account base. They are focused against increasing share and velocity of their assigned commodity using tactics that help sell-in the right brands to customers and sell-out to consumers via planning and execution of brand activations. This role must maintain strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the supplier accounts and be the expert consultant for the accounts. The Account Development Specialist will be active with in-market events and education.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related field and/or equivalent training and work experience
Minimum of 3-5 years in sales or industry related and category expertise experience for category specific roles
CSS Certification or WSET Spirits level 2; or Category specific certifications (Whiskey, Tequila, Sake or Beer); or Fine Wine Accreditation Preferably WSET Level 2 or Similar (CSW, Level II Court of Master Sommeliers)
Specialized knowledge of category or responsibility that this role will support
Must have a valid driver's license and be able to operate a motor vehicle; require
Proficient PC skills using MS Office and other various computer programs including presentation software
Must be a results-oriented professional with verbal/written communication skills using diplomacy and discretion as well as customer service skills
Ability to multi-task, work independently and/or within a team, pay attention to detail and meet deadlines
Analytic and Reporting skills
Utilize sound judgement and problem-solving skills
Ability to work in fast-paced, high-volume, team environment

Nice To Haves

On-premise/hospitality experience
Strong understand or background of consumer engagement mechanics
For Spirits Specialty: Experience managing a Beverage Program or Bartending/Mixology
Previous experience cocktail costing, inventory, menu creation, P&L analysis, budgeting, batching, staff training, etc.
A proficient knowledge of elevated-execution beverage techniques including but not limited to frozen cocktails, infusions, smoking, barrel aging, clarifying, creating foams, garnishes. Etc.
For Wine Specialty: Previous experience with a wine supplier
An in depth understanding of wine styles, different regions and grapes, aging potential for various wines, and specific flavor profiles.

Responsibilities

Drive and deliver on revenue and market share of assigned portfolio in assigned account base spending 80% of working time in market
Serve as the expert and resource for the division or group in developing beverage and marketing strategies and plans for growth of assigned category or large supplier, in which they have advanced knowledge.
Research trends, category, and portfolio to ensure that the group or division and company meet supplier goals as established.
Present new products and beverage offerings and conduct monthly business reviews.
Plan high-end consumer activations within key accounts to elevate category awareness based on customer needs.
Drive real time market insights to inform, apply, unlock and accelerate growth.
Lead, organize, report, field intel and insights for assigned territory and categories.
Collaborate with on-premise & retail sales teams, developing creative solutions to help drive business and growth in assigned categories across their assigned territory
Develop and deliver training modules to the sales team, customer, and supplier regarding sales trends
Establishes merchandising objectives relative to brand priority for each account by understanding company priorities and defining POS needs to the supplier
Focus on increasing share and velocity of assigned category.
Ownership of account plan and execution based on brand plans
Obtains appropriate distribution of category throughout account base by presenting and selling based on the brands' features and benefits, including beverage menu development
Conduct staff educations and building of the category.
Maintain and build strong relationships with the key stakeholders/gatekeepers of the assigned accounts
Participate in supplier and category specific work-with sales calls.
Attend educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks to build and maintain specialized industry and/or commodity knowledge.
Work to obtain all relative advanced certifications for the brand(s)/product becoming the market expert and resource in your assigned product or major supplier brand.
Maintains customer confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
Maintains a safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
Drive specific market share based on work in either retail or on-premise accounts
Retail ADS will focus on number of facings and their placement, cold box share and additional displays to planogram placement
On-Premise will focus on menu placement (featured or within the cocktail list), customer visibility at the bar
Responsibly handle beverage alcohol product & conduct safe and responsible interactions with the public.
Other duties, as assigned by the jobholder's supervisor, may also be required.